After a disappointing display on the road in the WSL, the Chelsea Women turn their eyes back to the Champions League with a chance at a spot in the semifinals.
Just like this tie was before it began, it is a toss up. Behind a sensational goal by Guro Reiten in southeast France last week, the Chelsea Women bring a slender one-goal lead with them to the second leg at Stamford Bridge. While the Blues found a way to frustrate Sonia Bompastor’s side in the final third on their home turf, they will be coming off a setback in the Women’s Super League.
A tired CFC has to once again pull it together for what has to be considered one of the biggest games in the history of the club. The eight-time Champions League winners at Stamford Bridge. What more can you ask for. The Blues worst nightmare up top for Les Lyonnaises came true over the weekend. While the Norwegian international Ada Hegerberg failed to make it on the pitch in the first leg, she made her return over the weekend in a 6-0 league victory over En Avant Guingamp.
Not only did she receive competitive playing time, one of the world’s most prolific goal scorers found the back of the net for the first time in a Lyon kit since last season’s Champions League final. The task for the west London’s side defense is going to require much more more focus and discipline. Hegerberg should be in the starting XI at the Bridge on Thursday night, and with players like Delphine Cascarino and Melvine Malard on her side, this Lyon attack is going to be a headache to deal with for 90 minutes.
Emma Hayes and Chelsea players make it clear only one part of task is done
'It's a job half-done.' 💯
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) March 23, 2023
Emma Hayes reflects on last night's victory in Lyon. ⤵️
Given the way we have seen this club respond to adversity, especially this season, the Blues are going to take the loss to Manchester City as an opportunity to learn. Given the players’ body language following the loss up north, there seems to be a desire to make things right.
Right after the loss to Arsenal at Selhurst Park, the Blues cruised past a stubborn Brighton and Hove Albion side before outlasted Manchester United on Kingsmeadow in a clash at the top of the WSL. Whenever this club hits a bump in its journey, Hayes’ side has always found a way to put it behind them and perform at a high level next time out.
Starting fast, and putting pressure on the opposition’s goalkeeper and sustaining it in the first half has to be one of the key focuses for Hayes’ side heading into the Bridge on Thursday. In the post-match, Hayes said that both Millie Bright and Erin Cuthbert are “fine”. With an extra day of rest compared to last week, the hope is that both of these players are prepared to bring their “A” game for all 90 minutes.
Lauren James and Sophie Ingle had a quick stint on the pitch in Manchester, potentially saving their legs for the critical Champions League match on tap next. James could even be out to send a message given the way she exited the City match so early.
In southeast France last week, James was a magician with the ball at her feet. Look for more of the same from a player that is slowly cementing herself as one of the best players in world football.
Bright should help alive some pressure off the CFC backline, supporting Kadeisha Buchanan with Hegerberg back into the fold. Now that the Norwegian striker is back into the Lyon team, those individual errors playing out the back cannot happen. Hegerberg will punish her opponent with any chance she receives.
Other than Hegerberg, the French international Cascarino is going to be a hand full just like in the first leg. The 26-year-old forward collected the most successful take-ons, and shot-creating actions for the French side in just 68 minutes on the pitch during the first half of the tie.
Lyon has only not made it past the quarterfinals of the UWCL in one of the past seven seasons. In those six campaigns that the French side reached the semifinals, they ended up winning the European crown in each instance.
If the English outfit can beat the Europe’s biggest football powerhouse over two legs of one of the most prestigious competitions in the world, that could arguably be the biggest accomplishment of the Hayes era to date. Winning consecutive trophies is something to be proud of, but if the west London side is able to hang on at the Bridge against the eight-time Champions League winners, it would be a historic moment for the entire club.